by the u.s. state department, the number of russian children adopted by american couples has increased significantly in the last few years. in 2004, the number was more than 5800 compared to only 962 last year. over the last 20 years, americans have are adopted more than 60,000 russian children, more than any other country. >> we remain committed to supporting inter-country adoptions between our two countries. the welfare of children is too important to be linked to political aspects of our relationship. >> reporter: the bottom line, says this expert, it is ultimately the children who will suffer because there aren't enough families in russia willing to adopt. >> there are, by some estimates, 700, 750,000 children in orphanages, in institutions in russia. they don't have that many families stepping up. >> reporter: the need is especially great for children with special needs like vatali. >> we rely on our faith and hope in jesus christ and that's what is going to get us through this. but it would just be devastating for those kids. >> reporter: the moyers already have two biological ch
